Integrated inkjet module with liftable print modules and aerosol collector

Abstract

An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting over a media feed path; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; a print bar chassis liftably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having a plurality of print modules mounted thereon, each print module comprising a respective printhead; and an aerosol collector fixed to the support chassis and positioned for collecting ink mist generated during printing.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An integrated inkjet module comprising:
 a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting over a media feed path; 
 a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; 
 a print bar chassis liftably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having a plurality of print modules mounted thereon, each print module comprising a respective printhead; and 
 a modular aerosol collector fixed to the support chassis and positioned for collecting ink mist generated during printing, 
 wherein the modular aerosol collector comprises: 
 an elongate vacuum tube extending across the media feed path; and 
 multiple nozzle units stacked side-by-side and connected to the vacuum tube, each nozzle unit extending downwardly from the vacuum tube towards the media feed path. 
 
     
     
       2. The integrated inkjet module of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol collector is positioned at one side of the support chassis relative to a media feed direction. 
     
     
       3. The integrated inkjet module of  claim 1 , wherein the maintenance chassis and the print bar chassis are slidably movable to a position offset from the media feed path. 
     
     
       4. The integrated inkjet module of  claim 3 , wherein the print bar chassis is fast with the maintenance chassis in a slide direction of the maintenance chassis. 
     
     
       5. The integrated inkjet module of  claim 1 , wherein each printhead is replaceable. 
     
     
       6. The inkjet module of  claim 1 , wherein each print module is slidably received in a respective print module carrier, each print module carrier being fixedly mounted on the print bar chassis. 
     
     
       7. An integrated inkjet module comprising:
 one or more print modules arranged across a media feed path, each print module comprising a respective printhead; and 
 a modular aerosol collector for collecting ink mist generated during printing, wherein the modular aerosol collector comprises:
 an elongate vacuum tube extending across the media feed path; and 
 multiple nozzle units stacked side-by-side and connected to the vacuum tube, each nozzle unit extending downwardly from the vacuum tube towards the media feed path.